Making news

NORTHAMPTON — Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity will host an information session for working low-income families interested in homeownership opportunities in Easthampton and Turners Falls.

The session will be held Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at Greenfield Savings Bank, 325A King St., Northampton.

Potential applicants will learn about Habitat’s selection criteria and how to be successful in the application process. Selection criteria include need, ability to make modest mortgage payments and willingness to participate in the construction of the home.

For information about becoming a Habitat homeowner, donating or volunteering, visit www.pvhabitat.org or call 586-5430.

Web design firm up for award

EASTHAMPTON — Website design firm Tunnel 7 has been nominated for a CSS Design Award for its work on behalf of KW Home, a furniture and design store in Easthampton.

EASTHAMPTON — Wireless Zone franchise owner Nate Bastarache presented $3,000 checks from the Wireless Zone Foundation for Giving to the Easthampton Community Center and the Northampton Survival Center last week.

Founded in 1988 as “The Car Phone Store,” the Wireless Zone is now the nation’s largest wireless retail franchisor and was ranked the number-one franchise in its category by Entrepreneur magazine. The company has more than 400 locations.

The conference, which will take place in May at Edward Jones headquarters in St. Louis, recognizes leaders in the firm. Meyers was one of 570 advisers who qualified for the conference. Edward Jones’ has more than 11,000 financial advisers nationwide.

Its Amherst office is located at 100 University Drive.

Company uses state grant to boost pellet heating in region

GREENFIELD — Sandri Energy was recently awarded a $3.2 million grant from the state Department of Energy Resources to promote alternative heating technology.

Through the grant, Sandri arranged 100 percent funding for the installation of low-emission wood pellet boilers at eight institutional or commercial sites; offered a $10,000 discount on wood pellet boilers to homeowners in Franklin and Hampshire counties; and purchased three trucks to make bulk pellet deliveries.

Sandri President Timothy Van Epps said the company is pursuing pellet heating as an alternative to high-priced heating oil, despite the company’s 82-year history as a heating oil supplier. “We are embracing alternative fuels and technologies to offer choices to our customers and ensure our continued relevance,” he said.